Yoga Mentor - Your Free Online Yoga Guide

Yoga Accessories- Getting What You Really Need
by Della Menechella

Unlike some other sports, you don’t need a lot of yoga accessories when you practice. With yoga, your body is really the most important ‘equipment’ that you need. There are some items that are basic and which can help you be more comfortable and safer in your practice.

Standard Yoga Accessories
Clothing – Your clothing should be comfortable and breathable and allow you to move freely. You don’t want anything that is going to get in the way of your movements or that will bunch up or create a distraction. For instance, oversized, loose fitting tee shirts can fall towards your face during some inversion poses and cause you to pay more attention to whether or not anything is showing, than to the actual asana. If you are taking a class, your instructor might want you to wear something form fitting in order to check your alignment.

Shorts are often a good choice, if the whether permits, because you tend to get very warm from doing the asanas and your body temperature heats up. In some types of yoga, such as Bikram, shorts are really a necessity because of the level of heat in the room.

Although yoga is usually practiced barefoot, some people wear cotton socks or soft yoga shoes.

Mat – Yoga mats are typically used during practice, especially in a class. They offer some padding so you are not lying or sitting directly on a hard floor. They also provide some level of sanitation, since a number of postures require you to put your head on the floor.

A mat also gives you traction during your poses. When your body heats up, you have a tendency to sweat, which could cause you to slip if you were directly on a floor. The mat helps minimize potential slipping and can add to the safety of your practice. There are a variety of different mats you can use.

Optional Yoga Accessories
Yoga Mat Bag – It helps you carry your yoga mat to and from class. Some of them also have room for other items such as a change of clothes, your keys, and wallet.

Yoga dvds – If you are not taking classes, they can provide you with wonderful instruction, often from top teachers.

Yoga Props – There are a variety of props that can help you with your form, especially if you are a beginner.

One of the least mentioned, but what I feel is one of the most important yoga accessories, is a water bottle. During your practice, your body will likely sweat and release toxins. Water is necessary to help you flush out the toxins and replenish any lost fluids. After your practice you will probably be thirsty, so cool, refreshing water will seem like a wonderful reward after all your hard work.

When you begin practicing, you may decide to just buy the standard items. As you advance, you will very likely decide to purchase some other yoga accessories to help you develop and grow.

• Yoga tests kids' imagination
  
  Yoga tests kids' imagination Times Union Copyright 2012 Times Union. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 11:23 a.m., Tuesday, January 10, 2012 Clark, an occupational therapy assistant who has taught yoga to children and adults since 2003, will be teaching a weekly class for 3- to 5-year-olds called Yoga Motion at the Saratoga ...
  


• What is Holy Yoga for Christians?
  
  As one who is a Christian and enjoys yoga, I was delighted to discover Holy Yoga . Yoga is excellent on its own, and so it Christianity. However, when the two practices are combined, the result is one great experience that goes beyond excellence.
  


• Profile: Patty Seidensticker
  
  BY LIZA STROUT - Asanas. Pranayama. Savasamas. You don’t need to know the definitions of these Sanskrit words that are associated with yoga to enjoy the benefits of the ancient art.
  


• Superior Solutions to Beat Childhood Obesity
  
  In the United States, up to 1 in every 5 kids is either overweight or obese. Sadly, the number of overweight children is increasing rather than decreasing. Children that are overweight are in danger of staying that way into adulthood, which increases their likelihood of getting long...
  


• Area Sports Events Calendar Feb 4-Feb 11
  
  Bobby Valentine 's Sports Academy , 72 Camp Avenue, Stamford, (203)-968-2872. Year-Round baseball/softball training for all age levels and skill levels that includes: A professional curriculum with proven results. Private Lessons (1 on 1 instruction).